We got street cameras & License Plate Readers!

SafeBears members have a lot to be happy about this summer (2023). Not only did we successfully lobby for the Berkeley City Council to fill its long-vacant Chief of Police role — we got them to approve fixed intersection cameras and License Plate Readers to fight crime in Berkeley! In other good news, BPD is now offering signing bonuses for new officers!

On June 13, 2023, the City Council voted to unanimously approve the installation of fixed safety cameras at 10 key intersections in Berkeley. The vote was held after numerous community members, including many Cal parents, spoke passionately about the need for better safety tools to help the police fight crime.

In early July 2023, we joined a discussion hosted by the Police Accountability Board on the subject of whether the city should allow the police to install License Plate Readers (LPRs). Many people spoke out against them, the two sides were closely matched, with SafeBears supporters accounting for nearly all those who spoke in favor of LPRs:

Then, on July 26, 2023, the Council voted to approve the police department’s request for LPRs. SafeBears supporters again showed up in large numbers to voice their support for the measure, pointing to the sharp rise in violent crimes around Berkeley.

Fixed intersection cameras and LPRs are a critical tool to fight crime because many of the criminals are coming into Berkeley from surrounding communities. Giving the police these tools will enable them not only to identify and arrest them, but will also act as a deterrent to those who view Berkeley as a defenseless target.

When Cal parents raise our voices together, we are an unstoppable force.